A North Dakota state lawmaker, Republican Rep. Jason Dockter, was convicted of a misdemeanor charge related to a state-leased building he has ownership ties to. The charge, speculating or wagering on official action, stemmed from Dockter’s alleged voting on legislative bills that appropriated money for property he had acquired a financial interest in, in violation of the law and legislative rules. Dockter pleaded not guilty to the charge and faces a maximum penalty of 360 days in jail and/or a $3,000 fine. The House Majority Leader expressed concerns about legislators feeling uncomfortable with conflicts of interest and suggested a review of legislative rules, state statutes, and a conversation with the Ethics Commission to clarify these issues.
The case against Dockter is part of a larger controversy surrounding the state-leased building, which incurred a significant cost overrun of over $1 million under the late Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem. Dockter, who is a co-owner of companies involved in the building and a friend of Stenehjem, has denied any wrongdoing in the lease arrangement. The current Attorney General, Drew Wrigley, disclosed the cost overrun and the deletion of Stenehjem’s state email account following his death in January 2022. Despite concerns raised by state lawmakers about transparency and trust, a prosecutor declined to bring charges for the deleted emails. The case raised questions about conflicts of interest and the ethical conduct of legislators in North Dakota.
Prosecutor Ladd Erickson declined to comment on the verdict in Dockter’s case. Dockter, who was first elected in 2012 and reelected in 2022 without opposition, has yet to be sentenced and is considering an appeal. The House Minority Leader, a Democrat, called on Dockter to resign following the verdict, but Dockter stated that he has no immediate plans to do so. The Republican-majority House is not expected to take any immediate action against Dockter, as the Legislature is not in session and is not scheduled to convene until January 2025, after an organizational session in December. The case has sparked discussions about legislative rules and conflicts of interest among lawmakers.
The cost overrun and deleted emails related to the state-leased building have raised concerns among state lawmakers about trust and transparency within the government. Earlier this year, thousands of Stenehjem’s emails were recovered by Wrigley’s office through a cellphone backup and released in response to records requests. Stenehjem’s phone data became part of an investigation into former state senator Ray Holmberg, who is accused of traveling to Europe with the intent of paying for sex with a minor. Holmberg’s trial is scheduled for September, adding another layer of controversy to the already complex situation in North Dakota involving the state-leased building, conflicts of interest, and ethical concerns among government officials. The case has brought to light issues surrounding governance and accountability in the state.
